City-centre flats plan approved despite noise concerns

Proposals for new flats in Newport’s Cambrian Road have gained council approval at the second attempt.

Stuart Nicholson, of the Burlesque hair salon at 16-18 Cambrian Road, applied to convert the building’s upper floors into two one-bedroom flats.

On the first floor, he has proposed amending the existing training and office space to create a flat containing a single bedroom, galley-style kitchen, living and dining area, toilet, and bathroom.

The second floor, which plans show is currently an office area, would be redesigned to largely the same layout as the first floor flat – albeit with a double bedroom.

A council planning report shows a previous application for a pair of two-bedroom flats was refused in July 2024, partly over concerns around noise from businesses on Cambrian Road below.

The new application drew three public objections, including from the Music Venue Trust, which feared the “close proximity” to live music venue The Cab could lead to “excessive noise complaints from incoming residents”.

In response, the applicant said he was “supportive of music venues” and would install new windows in the property, to “reduce the potential for noise complaints from the occupants of these much needed new residential flats”.

Council planners concluded the reasons for refusing the original scheme had been “overcome or addressed and mitigated”.

A proposed reconfiguration of the flats, in the new application, and the addition of “appropriate” glazing had addressed the concerns around noise, they added.

They granted planning permission, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement under which the applicant would make a contribution towards affordable housing.